Because of how huge the anime industry has become over the past few decades, it attracts its fair share of developers and publishers who are looking to cash in on the hype. Often seen as a little no more than poor attempts at making a quick buck, even the most hopeful of anime fans and gamers have learned to remain skeptical when it comes to anime games. But, even though the skepticism is warranted, there are a couple of games that serve as an exception. Scroll down below to find out 10 of the best anime video games available today, which platforms they are on, and why they’re worth your time.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
The Dragonball franchise has seen numerous attempts at capturing the essence of the series and turning it into a competitive fighting game, only for most if not all of them to fail. So far, the jury is still out for Dragonball FighterZ, at least as far as longevity goes. However, as a competitive fighting game, it’s right on par with the best in the industry. In fact, the game was included in the lineup of games for the Evolution Championship Series tournament in 2018 and 2019. It was set to be part of the 2020 event as well before it was eventually canceled. The game’s complicated nuances and intricate combos are likely owed to the fact that it was developed by Arc System Works, the same people behind the genre staples, BlazBlue and Guilty Gear. Make no mistake though, it’s not just for fighting game fans. Casual players who are fans of the franchise will love its all-original story. It features a unique villain in Android 21, who was supposedly created by the deceased Dr. Gero. With constant content updates helping keep the game fun and interesting, Dragon Ball FighterZ could be one of the few anime video games that can last for years.
Attack on Titan 2
Attack on Titan seemed like the perfect anime for a video game adaptation. The way that the military, especially the Survey Corps, goes on gliding about with their omnidirectional mobility gear to avoid getting squashed by the often-lumbering titans as they try to work their way around them and hit their nape isn’t exactly something that hasn’t been done in a video game. In 2016, fans finally got their shot at an Attack on Titan game. Unfortunately, it fell short of expectations. While the first game wasn’t bad by any means, it’s wasn’t great either. Luckily, Omega Force and Koei Tecmo redeemed themselves with their second outing. The combat was improved greatly with the movement mechanics more fluid. Not to mention, players also got a chance to create and play their own character in a slightly different take on the manga and anime’s story to fit the video game better.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
After striking gold with the first Dragon Ball Xenoverse game, the game’s developers, Dimps, along with the publisher, Bandai Namco Entertainment, brought everything they had learned from their initial go around. This resulted in a bigger, bolder, and more ambitious MMO-like sequel in Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2. Xenoverse 2 manages to straddle the line between challenging fans and catering to them all at the same time. The game makes you feel like how the characters in the Dragon Ball franchise would be like if they were in the middle of the battle. You get to fly around massive landscapes using your own customized character with a chance to take on quests and do battle against other players in frenetic arena-style brawls. It also certainly doesn’t hurt that the story feels authentic and incorporates many elements from the DBZ canon. While many have criticized the game for getting a little too greedy, you can’t deny that it’s the ultimate fan service title for fans of the Dragon Ball series.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
To be honest, we were conflicted whether or not to include any game from the series at all or just go by recommending the entire series. The thing is, the Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm series of games spans multiple titles released across the better part of the past two decades. To say that it’s not a beginner-friendly franchise is only fitting. Although first-time players probably won’t be able to appreciate the games as much as those who’ve invested years following the Naruto franchise, there’s still a lot to enjoy to the series. This is especially true with the Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 title. The game lets you enjoy the last few arcs of the series with highly improved combat mechanics and graphics. Meanwhile, it also has arguably the largest roster of characters with more than 100 for players to choose from and play as. As a bonus, players will get to enjoy the story continue up to Boruto’s first adventure with the latest DLC.
Astro Boy: Omega Factor
Now, this is an oldie but goodie. Astro Boy: Omega Factor was released way back in 2003 for the Game Boy Advance. It puts players in the shoes of Astro Boy, otherwise known as Mighty Atom in Japan, in a beat em’ up video game with a run and gun gameplay elements. The game lets players upgrade Astro Boy using stat points depending on their playstyle. There are also a variety of pickups that will let you pull off any one of Astro Boy’s special attacks. This includes shooting a huge laser from his arms or filling the entire screen with machine-gun bullets all fired from his hips.
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise
First of the North Star: Lost Paradise is what happens if you get SEGA’s popular Yakuza franchise and swap out the characters with the ones from the First of the North Star. This open-world action RPG puts players in the shoes of the protagonist, Kenshiro. He is, by the way, the successor of the Hokuto Shinken martial arts. He finds himself defeated and his fiancee kidnapped, which sees him traveling to the city of Eden to find Yuria only to get himself caught up with all the conflict in the city. It’s a fun game that sees plenty of the game’s biggest protagonists and antagonists making appearances. This often leads to some pretty memorable boss fights. Not to mention, because this is basically just a Yakuza game, you can keep yourself busy with several minigames. And, oh, by the way, did we tell you that you can make enemy heads explode with your fists? Seeing that in action is well worth the price of admission alone.
Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxiboost ON
Mobile Suit Gundam seems like a prime candidate for a video game. After all, robots duking it out in space and other large expanses seem like an ideal scenario, right? But, you’d be surprised as to how there’ve been very few memorable Mobile Suit Gundam games to ever release. The most memorable of them all though has to be a rather recent release. Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxiboost ON gives players an expansive roster of nearly 200 fan-favorite Mobile Suits to choose from and play as in this arcade arena fighter. However, the best part about the game is that it features plenty of content for those who prefer to play their games alone, although its multiplayer is where the game really shines.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution
Yu-Gi-Oh! might not be as mainstream as it once was, but it’s still fairly popular. The franchise continues to have a strong following of hardcore fans, dedicated collectors, and professional players. This is probably why, even in 2019, a video game based on the anime franchise was still released, and boy was it awesome. Widely considered as the best Yu-Gi-Oh! video game ever, Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution lets players play as and against any one of their favorite duelists from the series to see who is the best dueler of them all. Thanks to a card library filled with more than 10,000 cards, the game makes for an entertaining time that you can easily sink dozens of hours into.
Fairy Tail
Relive three of the most epic arcs of the Fairy Tail anime in video game form in a turn-based RPG title of the same name. The Fairy Tail game feels less like a cash cow and more like a love letter to fans. Players will find that there’s a surprising amount of stuff that you can do in the game, from side missions to main missions, with tons more characters for you to unlock and recruit. Paired with a remarkable deep and engaging battle system, Fairy Tail is an anime-based RPG done right.
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4
While some developers can’t help but cash in on the anime trend, the inverse is also true. Some developers try too hard to make their games complicated and deep. The result? They forget to make it fun. One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 is a good example of a light and engaging anime-based video game that doesn’t feel like it’s just out for your money. A button-mashing fiesta, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 features frenetic and chaotic combat with a wide collection of playable characters, as well as game-specific scenarios, where you can dish out some pretty amazing combos using your special moves and normal attacks alike. Just as how the series’ main protagonist, Luffy D. Monkey, doesn’t like complicating things, this game is heaven for when all you want to do is to have fun and mash buttons.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
So far, we’ve featured Dragon Ball in MMO-lite RPG and arcade fighting game form on our list. This time around, we’re going with the open-world RPG take on the mega-popular anime franchise that follows the events of the anime from start to finish. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, as the name suggests, lets players play out some of the most intense battles throughout the anime’s story arcs. This includes everything from the arrival of the Raditz and Nappa, all the way through the Battle of Gods and Ressurection F storylines via DLCs. Along the way, players will get a chance to go fishing, ride on the Flying Nimbus, collect orbs, and play as the other characters in the franchise. The ultimate nostalgia trip, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is the best way to relive the adventures of adult Goku and introduce it to a new generation.
